January 23-26, 2024, Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution Karoline Edtstadler attended various meetings in Washington, DC, focusing on transatlantic cooperation in the fight against antisemitism. On January 26, she met with representatives of the American Jewish Committee and represented Austria at the official commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

"This year we are celebrating International Holocaust Remembrance Day at a harrowing time of rising antisemitism. The brutal attack by Hamas on the Israeli civilian population has caused dams to break. Right now, it is crucial to take a firm stand against all forms of antisemitism and ensure that 'never again' does not remain an empty phrase," stressed Minister Edtstadler. International cooperation and networking are particularly important in this regard, as antisemitism knows no borders - neither offline nor online. "I am therefore particularly honored to be able to represent Austria at the commemoration ceremony at the International Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, and to send a clear signal against hostility towards Jews right now," explained the Federal Minister.

The agenda for the trip also included meetings with high-ranking representatives of the Jewish community and Jewish organizations as well as a reception at the Austrian Residence to award Austrian citizenship to descendants of Nazi victims.

In the days leading up to the commemoration, Minister Edtstadler attended meetings at the U.S. State Department, the National Security Council and the U.S. Congress, where she met with Vermont Senator Peter Welch and Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn. She exchanged views on the upcoming presidential elections in the USA and on the topics of antisemitism, the Western Balkans, Russia/Ukraine and Gaza.

At Georgetown University on January 24, the Minister also gave a lecture entitled "Crisis Diplomacy: Navigating the Challenges in Ukraine and Israel/Gaza from an EU Perspective." The focus was on EU enlargement, Israel and EU Middle East policy as well as the role of women in politics. "It is clear that transatlantic relations are more important than ever in times like these," said Minister Edtstadler.

During her working visit, the Minister was also able to engage in intensive discussions with META's decision-makers on the topics of artificial intelligence and disinformation as well as the rise in antisemitic hate speech and the necessary strategies to combat it. "Information knows no borders, and neither does disinformation. That is why we must work together to combat this threat," said Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler.

Image Copyright: BKA / Florian Schrötter